The Blood Of Vampire: Chapter 28 - The Weight of the Dwarven Oath
Jatex and Ryn traveled for two days, moving across the Great Pass toward the ancient, impenetrable gates of the Dwarven Stronghold, Khaz-Aethyr.
Jatex had formulated his final, terrifying plan to breach the Dwarven Oath—the only way to reach the Scepter of Law.
"The Iron Oath binds the Dwarves to defend the Scepter against all invaders," Jatex explained, his voice flat with Truth. "To break the Oath, the danger must come from within their own domain—a threat that violates a higher, more sacred Dwarven Law."
Ryn understood. They needed to force the Dwarves to choose between the Oath of Defense and the Law of Survival.
As they approached the main gate, a thunderous tremor shook the mountains. General Commander Vorlag had finally cornered them, leading an army of specialized Dwarven-Iron siege engines—the very tools designed to breach Khaz-Aethyr.
"Hendry's final move," Ryn whispered, horrified. "He's using Vorlag to force the Dwarves to fight, weakening them for his final political takeover!"
Jatex nodded, the Gem and the Chalice burning on his skin. "No. This is my Sacrifice."
Jatex stopped. He looked back at the advancing army, then at the massive, rune-covered gate of Khaz-Aethyr.
He knew his sister's Silent Will and the Chalice's Truth demanded this. He executed the ultimate, agonizing Reversal Siphon. He didn't just consume the Thirst; he consumed the Shadow-Blood Weave itself—the spiritual architecture that defined him as Vaelanar.
The spiritual collapse was absolute. Jatex's body went rigid, his power vanishing. He was physically and spiritually inert—a single, defenseless human boy, standing before the gate.
Ryn screamed, realizing the extent of the Sacrifice. Jatex had paid the Iron Oath's price: he had stripped himself of the very thing the Oath was designed to fight.
"Dwarves!" Jatex cried, his voice barely a rasp, utterly human. "I am Jatex, the Aethyr-Wound! I have no power! The Vaelanar curse is gone! The true enemy—Hendry's general, Vorlag—is at your gates! The Dwarven Oath demands you defend the Law. Which Law is greater? The Law against the Vaelanar, or the Law of your own Survival?"
He collapsed. He had made the final Sacrifice. The Weight of the Dwarven Oath now fell entirely on the Dwarven King. The gates of Khaz-Aethyr began to rumble open, revealing the armored ranks of the Dwarven army, ready to choose Oath and the devastating truth of survival.